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KCChronicle.com/preps Athlete of the Week: St. Charles East girls soccer's Shannon Rasmussen

April 9, 2013

Why she was selected:

Rasmussen set up East's 1-0 conference win on April 2 against Geneva on a successful corner kick to Allie Arvizu, and added two more assists – one on another corner – as the Saints again beat the Vikings, 3-0, on Saturday to win the Augsburg-Drach Invite.

Shannon Rasmussen and Darcy Cunningham have drawn rave reviews for their touch on set pieces in the season's early going, and Rasmussen has been particularly on target lately for the St. Charles East girls soccer team. The junior forward's ability to set the table for the Saints' top scorers has played a key role in East's strong start. Rasmussen, the Kane County Chronicle-St. Charles Bank & Trust Athlete of the Week, spoke with sports editor Jay Schwab about her recent surge. The following is an edited transcript:

What kind of work goes into those corner kicks that have been going so well for you guys?

We practice them and we figure that the set pieces would be a huge game plan for us this year. I always take them from the right side because we want in-swingers taking them. … We've been doing really good at finishing them. Everyone's been not backing down and just trying to get something on the ball and finish.

How meaningful was it for you guys to win the Augsburg-Drach?

It was so nice. That was one of our major goals before the season started because obviously we have not won it in forever and it's our home tournament. It was a big honor to be part of that and win it again.

And how about beating Geneva twice in the same week?

That was also [a big deal]. We've been on such a roll. It was the coolest thing ever because we haven't beat them also in [a long time] and they're some of the kids we play with on club. … We knew we could do it, it was just getting everyone to finally work together and finish.

Do you have a favorite pregame meal or snack?

No but our team has been getting together and having pasta parties all the time, even just random ones, last minute. … We just go to someone's house and [have a party].